This question is really a fluid dynamics question posted in the
medicine section. Suppose a person's blood pressure has been stable
at, say, 120/80. And Cholesteral stable at 180. If blood pressure
rises permanently by 10% and cholesteral declines permanently by 10%,
will the rate of buildup on the arterial walls decline 1%? i.e., 1.10
x 0.90 = 0.99.

Hi jim2003,

While high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure are risk factors
for atherosclerosis, exactly what causes plaque to build up in
arteries is not known, and there is no scientific evidence that the
rate of plaque accumulation is a numerical function of just those two
factors.  So as far as scientists know today, it would be very
unlikely that the changes you described would lead to any specific,
predictable, and measurable change in the rate of plaque buildup.

A leading theory is that plaque buildup is due to damage to the
endothelium, the inner lining of arteries, and blood pressure and
cholesterol may have something to do with causing this damage.  But
still, there is no quantitative model that would answer your question.

A few sources:

The American Heart Association says "Exactly how atherosclerosis
begins or what causes it isn't known..."

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=228

An article on the emedicine web site by James L. Orford, MBChB,  says
"A complex and incompletely understood interaction exists between the
critical cellular elements of the atherosclerotic lesion. ... The
mechanisms of atherogenesis remain uncertain."

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic182.htm

A web page from the Stanford Hospital and Clinics says "It is unknown
exactly how atherosclerosis begins or what causes it."

http://www.stanfordhospital.com/healthLib/atoz/cardiac/athero.html


Standard disclaimer:  Google Answers provides general information, not
professional medical advice.

If you need any further information or explanation, please ask for a clarification.

Regards,

-efn

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Request for Answer Clarification by jim2003-ga on 23 Oct 2004 13:29 PDT

Couple of clarifying questions and then I will close out the question to you...

1) Do you know the answer (without researching) to the fluid dynamics
question embedded herein, i.e., if the pressure in a pipe increases by
10% and the dissolved solids decrease by 10%, will the buildup on the
walls of the pipe decline by 1% (1.1 x 0.9 = .99)

2) Do you have credentials in this area?

Note: regardless of your answer, I will close out the question to you.

Thanks.

---

Clarification of Answer by efn-ga on 23 Oct 2004 14:56 PDT

1)  No, sorry, I don't know the answer.  For what it's worth, my guess
would be that the answer is "no."

2)  I do not have credentials in either medicine or fluid dynamics.

If I can help you any further, please feel free to ask.

--efn